Incident Report #12 – July 2019 Statewide severe weather incident

Incident Report #12 – July 2019 Statewide severe weather incident 
August 1, 2019
Contact: Andrew Beckett       Cell: 608-572-6073
State Emergency Operation Center: 608-888-5329
 
SUMMARY
Wisconsin Emergency Management continues to monitor and support debris removal operations in the state, following powerful storms July 18-20 and on July 28. These storms produced at least 19 tornadoes and straight-line winds in multiple counties, downing trees and knocking out power to hundreds of thousands of people.
 
Multiple state agencies have staff and other resources out in the field assisting with local recovery efforts, including the Wisconsin National Guard, Wisconsin Emergency Management, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Department of Corrections. Significant cleanup efforts continue in Langlade, Polk, and Barron counties.
 
The state continues to work with county and tribal partners to collect damage estimates. Residents are encouraged to call 2-1-1 or 877-947-2211 to report damage done to private property. Property owners can also contact 2-1-1 for information on volunteer assistance that may be available in their area.
 
LOCAL EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTERS OPEN
The Langlade, and Polk County Emergency Operations Centers have transitioned to virtual operations.
 
LOCAL EMERGENCY DECLARATIONS
A total of 52 county/municipal declarations and two tribal declarations have been issued.
 
ESTIMATED PUBLIC DAMAGES
The estimate for public sector cost associated with the storm is approximately $14.3 million. This number is preliminary and has not been validated. These numbers are expected to fluctuate as cleanup and assessment efforts continue.
 
ESTIMATED PRIVATE DAMAGES
Damage assessments continue. Residents in affected counties are encouraged to document their damage and report the information to the state’s 2-1-1 service by calling 2-1-1 or 877-947-2211.
  
STATE AGENCY RESPONSE
 
Wisconsin National Guard
The Wisconsin National Guard has debris clearance teams supporting efforts in Polk, Barron,
and Langlade counties.
 
WI Department of Administration
DOA has disaster recovery assistance available to local units of government for housing rehabilitation, public facility/infrastructure repair, and business assistance utilizing Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. Application information for the Emergency Assistance Program (EAP) can be found at the following link - https://doa.wi.gov/Pages/LocalGovtsGrants/Community-Development-Block-Grant-Emergency-Assistance-Program-.aspx
 
WI Department of Corrections
The DOC had a strike teams made up of DOC staff and inmates assisting with debris removal operations Thursday in Langlade County.
 
WI Department of Natural Resources
The DNR continued to assist Thursday with clean-up efforts in Langlade County.
 
WI Department of Health Services
The Department of Health Services (DHS) says replacement FoodShare benefits are available for an extended period of time for most of western, northern, and central Wisconsin. Members in qualifying counties have until August 19, 2019 to request replacement benefits.
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/news/releases/0731019.htm
 
DHS is also offering advice for people having trouble coping with stress or losses caused by the recent storms.
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/news/releases/073119.htm
 
UTILITIES
Power has been restored throughout the affected areas.
 
Alliant Energy
While Alliant Energy customers were restored to electric service several days ago, equipment retrieval continues for the company in central Wisconsin in the aftermath of the July 19 and 20 storms. Alliant Energy expects to gather remaining equipment like transformers, poles, wires or other company items from affected areas by the end of the day on Friday, August 2. If Alliant Energy customers notice any equipment from the company on or near their property after August 2, they should call the company at 1-800-255-4268.
 
WEATHER CONDITIONS
The National Weather Service forecasts a small chance for thunderstorms over northern Wisconsin on Friday. There is a small chance for thunderstorms across the entire state on Saturday. No severe weather is expected.
 
 
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